Judi Dench Releases Memoir on Life and Career
The 368-page nonfiction book, written with longtime friend Brendan O'Hea, covers Dench's career, marriage and her years as M in the Bond films.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Documentary
Actress Judi Dench has released her memoir, Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It?, published by St. Martin's Press. The book was written in collaboration with her longtime friend Brendan O'Hea and can be purchased via Amazon.
Why it matters
The memoir offers a first-person account from one of the most decorated British actresses of her generation, including her long association with the Bond franchise. Readers interested in film history and stage careers will find a detailed personal perspective on the industry.
The memoir runs 368 pages and covers a span of roughly three decades, from Dench's 1995 debut as M in GoldenEye through her final appearance in Skyfall in 2012. Critical reception and sales figures were not available at the time of publication.
The players
Judi Dench
Judi Dench is a British actress with an Oscar for Shakespeare in Love, best known internationally for playing M in the James Bond films.
St. Martin's Press
St. Martin's Press is a New York-based publishing house, an imprint of Macmillan, that published the memoir.
Brendan O'Hea
Brendan O'Hea is a longtime friend of Judi Dench who collaborated with her on writing the memoir.
The details
Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It? covers Dench's hometown of York, her West End career in London, her marriage to the late actor Michael Williams, and her Oscar-winning work in Shakespeare in Love. The book was written with Brendan O'Hea, a longtime friend of the actress.
Timeline
1995: Dench first appears as M in GoldenEye.
2006: Her M character carries into the Daniel Craig era with Casino Royale.
2012: Dench's M storyline concludes in Skyfall.
November 3, 2026: Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It? is released.
Big Picture
Dench became the first woman to portray M in the Bond franchise when she debuted in GoldenEye in 1995, and her memoir revisits that role from a veteran performer's perspective. The book adds a personal account to a franchise whose M character has been central to its storytelling for three decades.
The memoir is available for purchase through Amazon as a 368-page nonfiction book. Readers who follow the Bond films can revisit Dench's M era alongside her own account of it.
The takeaway
Dench's memoir offers a long-view account from a performer who has spent decades in film, television and the stage. It is a useful read for anyone interested in how a career built across theater, cinema and the Bond franchise unfolded.
Further reading
For more on factual storytelling in film, explore the Documentary section.
